Veteran guard Collin Sexton has quickly emerged as a leader for a young Hornets team, writes Roderick Boone of The Charlotte Observer. Both the Hornets and Sexton are trying to create a winning culture in Charlotte, and head coach Charles Lee appreciates the 26-year-old’s willingness to speak up.
“Yeah, he’s not afraid to just communicate,” Lee said. “I think, number one, everyone sees how hard he works every day, and so he’s already leading by example. And then so when he does want to speak up, because he’s so passionate and competitive, he’s earned their respect. So, he’s able to just be very vocal, very upfront with them. And they all know that it’s from a place of love, it’s from a place of competitive joy and that they’re really responsive.
“I think that our whole group, though, is learning how to communicate with one another in a positive way to kind of help us just keep moving in the right direction. So, I love what he’s done. He’s really helped bring a little bit more intensity to sometimes that starting unit. Especially on the defensive end where he sets a tone on the primary ball-handler and allows the other guys to kind of follow suit.”
Sexton, who was acquired over the summer in a trade with Utah, says leadership is something that comes naturally to him, according to Boone.
“I would say since I got here, I always try not to say I’m trying to fit in — just got to continue to be me,” Sexton said. “I feel like that’s the biggest thing. Continue to be me and continue to walk with confidence. And confidence brings leadership. At the end of the day, leading by example is something that I’ve done since coming into the league and even in college and through high school.
“So I feel like that’s something that I felt like that was a need of the team, and I felt like that was a way I can come in and impact right away is bring leadership and bring those qualities, because at the end of day when things are going south and things aren’t going well, we got to have someone that can bring the guys back together. And I feel like that’s something that I can do.”
Sexton is entering the final year of his contract, which will pay him nearly $19MM in 2025/26. While that could be a potential distraction, Sexton tells Boone he’s focused on being present.
“I would say controlling each and every day, coming out here and being grateful and being thankful to be able to lace my shoes up, be able to go out and play with this organization,” Sexton said. “At the end of the day, I’ve got to be where my feet are. I can’t look two weeks in advance, I can’t look two months in advance. I have to take it day-by-day. That’s it. It’s not tough because I’m grounded by faith. I’m grounded by the Lord, and I know my family is behind me. And I feel like when I’m grounded by those two things, then there’s nothing impossible.”
Sexton also spoke to Boone about playing with LaMelo Ball, bonding with Ball and Brandon Miller, and more. The full interview is worth checking out if you’re a fan of Sexton and/or the Hornets.